New Mexico Electrician License Requirements (2026)

The New Mexico Construction Industries Division (CID) Electrical Bureau licenses electrical contractors under the EE-98 classification and certifies individual electricians as ER-1 Journeyman Electricians under NMSA 1978 Chapter 60 Article 13 and 14.6 NMAC. Every ER-1 applicant must document four years of qualifying experience and pass the PSI National Electrical Code examination; EE-98 contractor applicants must also pass the New Mexico Business and Law exam, file a financial statement, and post a license bond.

Regulatory Body Profile

New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department — Construction Industries Division (CID) is the statutory authority responsible for issuing and enforcing this license under NMSA 1978 Chapter 60 Article 13 (Construction Industries Licensing Act); NMAC Title 14 Chapter 6. CID licenses construction contractors and tradespeople statewide through its General Construction Bureau, Electrical Bureau, and Mechanical Bureau, enforces adopted building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical codes, and conducts inspections and disciplinary proceedings.

Official portal: https://www.rld.nm.gov/construction/
Address: 2550 Cerrillos Road, Santa Fe, NM 87505
Phone: (505) 476-4700

The Eligibility Audit

The applicant must be at least 18 years of age and possess a valid Social Security Number. No New Mexico residency requirement.

Good moral character

CID Electrical Bureau reviews criminal history on each applicant.

Background investigation

Mandatory criminal history disclosure on the CID application.

Experience and Education Standards

The experience bar is four years (8,000 hours) of practical electrical experience under a licensed EE-98 contractor or ER-1 journeyman, documented on CID Certification of Work Experience forms, and it must be backed by verifiable records — typically payroll, tax, project, or supervisor documentation covering the claimed period.

Accepted proof of experience or eligibility

CID Certification of Work Experience signed by each supervising EE-98 contractor or ER-1 journeyman
W-2, 1099, or payroll records covering the qualifying period
Approved electrical apprenticeship completion certificate (where applicable)

Education substitution

Completion of a U.S. Department of Labor-approved electrical apprenticeship satisfies the experience requirement. Accredited electrical technology degree may substitute for up to two years.

The Exam Syllabus

Testing is handled by PSI Services LLC (under contract to CID). The applicant has to pass each part listed here before the credential is granted:

New Mexico ER-1 Journeyman Examination — National Electrical Code (current NM-adopted edition) — 80 questions, 240 minutes, passing score 75%
New Mexico EE-98 Trade Examination — NEC, load calculations, motor and transformer sizing — 100 questions, 240 minutes, passing score 75%
New Mexico Business and Law Examination (EE-98 only) — 50 questions, 120 minutes, passing score 75%

Examination fee: $87 per examination paid to PSI at the time of scheduling.

Retake policy: Any failed examination may be retaken by paying a new $87 fee. Application approval remains valid for one year.

Bonding, Insurance & Financial Security

A $10,000 surety bond, in the form prescribed by the CID, must be posted as a condition of licensure.

General liability

CID does not impose a state-level general liability minimum. Most commercial owners contractually require $1,000,000/$2,000,000.

Workers' compensation

Workers' compensation insurance is mandatory under NMSA 52-1 for construction employers with three or more workers (one or more for construction-services businesses).

Additional financial requirements

EE-98 contractors must file a current financial statement on the CID form demonstrating positive net worth. ER-1 journeyman applicants do not need a financial statement.

Schedule of Fees

Fee	Amount
Application (non-refundable)	$30
Examination	$174
Initial license	$360
Renewal (every 3 years)	$360

Renewal and Continuing Obligations

The New Mexico EE-98 Electrical Contractor (and ER-1 Journeyman) runs on a 3 years renewal cycle. The current renewal fee is $360. EE-98 and ER-1 renew every three years. Lapsed credentials may require re-examination.

Continuing education: Continuing education in the adopted NEC edition each renewal cycle under 14.6 NMAC.

Downloadable Asset

2026 New Mexico Electrician License Roadmap (PDF) — a printable step-by-step checklist for the application process.

Download the PDF roadmap →

Out-of-State Reciprocity

For this classification, New Mexico does not recognize the NASCLA Accredited Examination.

Reciprocal State	Accepted Exam	Conditions
Arizona	Trade exam waived	Bilateral CID–ROC reciprocity for electrical contractors in good standing for at least one year.
Texas	Journeyman exam waived	Bilateral journeyman electrician reciprocity under TDLR–CID agreement.
Colorado	Journeyman exam waived	Bilateral journeyman reciprocity with Colorado State Electrical Board.

Reciprocity is limited to applicants who passed an equivalent NEC-based examination and hold an active credential in good standing.

Weighing more than one jurisdiction? The national hub compares Electrician license requirements in every state — exam, bond, fee, and experience thresholds side by side.

The Application Roadmap

Document four years of electrical experience. Collect CID Certification of Work Experience forms totaling at least 8,000 hours under licensed supervision.
Apply for the ER-1 Journeyman examination. File the CID ER-1 application and pay the PSI exam fee.
Pass the PSI NEC examination at 75%. The ER-1 exam is based on the New Mexico-adopted edition of the NEC.
Work as an ER-1 Journeyman. Gain additional field experience before applying for EE-98 contractor status.
Apply for the EE-98 contractor classification. File the CID application with classification, financial statement, and Business and Law exam pass certificate.
Pass the EE-98 trade and Business and Law exams. Both at 75% or better.
Post the license bond. File a $10,000 license bond or cash deposit with CID.

Pre-Application Checklist

Have each of the following squared away before the packet goes to CID:

☐ Four years (8,000 hours) documented on CID Certification of Work Experience forms
☐ CID ER-1 application with $30 fee
☐ PSI NEC exam pass certificate at 75%+
☐ Financial statement (EE-98 only)
☐ PSI Business and Law exam pass certificate at 75%+ (EE-98 only)
☐ $10,000 license bond or cash deposit (EE-98 only)
☐ Workers' compensation certificate (if applicable)

Where Applications Stall

These are the recurring mistakes that most often delay or reject a New Mexico Electrician application, based on the official instructions cited here.

Insufficient hour documentation

Every hour must be signed off by a licensed supervisor. Self-reported hours are rejected.

Wrong NEC edition

Candidates routinely study the wrong NEC edition. Always confirm the adopted edition in 14.10 NMAC before scheduling.

Skipping ER-1 for EE-98

The EE-98 contractor classification must be qualified by an ER-1 journeyman. You cannot skip straight to EE-98.

Missing the bond

CID will not issue the EE-98 until the $10,000 bond or cash deposit is on file.

Letting the credential lapse

A lapsed ER-1 suspends any EE-98 license it qualifies.

Recommended Study Materials

These materials are drawn from the regulator's own citations and the references applicants commonly use to prepare. CLR receives no compensation for listing them.

National Electrical Code (NM-adopted edition) — NFPA. Primary technical reference. Open-book at the PSI test center.
NMSA 1978 Chapter 60 Article 13 and 14.6 NMAC — State of New Mexico. Licensing law and rules.
Tom Henry NEC Exam Prep — Tom Henry. Popular prep material for PSI NEC exams.

Other New Mexico Trade Licenses

CLR maintains guides for additional New Mexico trades; the published ones are listed here:

Common Questions

What is the difference between ER-1 and EE-98?

ER-1 is the individual journeyman electrician certificate. EE-98 is the electrical contractor classification that authorizes a business to bid and contract for electrical work. EE-98 applicants must be qualified by an ER-1 journeyman.

Which NEC edition does New Mexico use?

CID adopts the National Electrical Code by reference. Check the current 14.10 NMAC for the exact adopted edition before testing.

How many hours are required for the ER-1?

Four years and 8,000 hours of qualifying electrical experience under licensed supervision, or completion of an approved apprenticeship.

Does New Mexico reciprocate electrician credentials?

Yes. CID maintains bilateral reciprocity agreements with Arizona, Texas, and Colorado for electricians in good standing.

How often do electrical licenses renew?

Every three years. ER-1 renewal requires continuing education in the adopted NEC.

Primary Sources

Regulatory requirements on this page are drawn from the official board, statute, and exam-provider materials listed below.

Verified 2026-05-12 · Next scheduled review 2026-08-10